JIAS MONTREAL WELCOME AND HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE PROVIDES VALUABLE SUPPORT TO NEWCOMERS

It is one year since Ariela and Pablo Szyferman arrived in Montreal from Buenos Aires.  During these last 12 months they have managed to find an apartment, both of them are working and they say that they are truly happy in Montreal.  Ariela admits that sometimes she was frustrated, particularly in the first month, when the couple discovered that they needed a bank account to rent an apartment.  "But, we needed a permanent address to open a bank account," said Ariela.  Finally one of JIAS volunteers from the Welcome and Hospitality Committee intervened to help them open a bank account and sign a lease.

JIAS Montreal's Welcome and Hospitality Committee has offered a lifeline of support to newly arrived immigrants.  Headed up by Joyce Fishman, the Committee was created in early 2003 and in a short time has creatively fulfilled many of the immigrants' needs.

Montreal Welcome and Hospitality Committee

"The first contact we have with new arrivals is at the airport", explained Joyce.  "In 2003, the Committee organized 57 airport pick-ups.  We meet and greet them and take them either to their hotel, their apartment (if they organized it prior to arrival by e-mail), or friends who have already settled in Montreal."

According to Laura and Pablo Burdman, being picked up at the airport was "amazing".  The couple had rented an apartment by e-mail, which turned out to be a disaster.  Immediately the Welcome Committee volunteer took them to a hotel and later encouraged them to find a more suitable apartment from the same landlord.

"It is so wonderful to know when you arrive, that not only is someone going to greet you, but that they are actually thinking about you before you land," said Debora Rabinovich, who came to Montreal two years ago from Argentina and now works as a Resettlement and Integration Counselor at JIAS.

Baskets prepared by the Welcome Committee

When the newcomers come in for their first meeting with the JIAS counselors, they are given a Welcome Basket prepared by the Welcome Committee.  For these baskets the Committee solicited products from 40 companies and individuals.  JIAS distributed over 150 baskets within the first 6 months.  In December, the committee raised $4,000 from an Imaginary Tea to purchase products for more baskets.  The baskets contain mitts, hats, tea kettles, health and beauty aids, pens, toys, towels and socks among other items.

Over the year the Welcome and Hospitality Committee has organized Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah dinners and Pessach Seders for newcomers hosted by Montreal families.  "We realize that although some of the customs might be different, they are far from their families and it is important during the holidays and Shabbat to feel welcomed," said Joyce.

Tickets were also solicited from various synagogues during the High Holidays and for Hanukah parties.  "We are grateful to ORT Montreal, who donated 50 tickets to their fundraising gala at Place des Art last November," said Joyce.  "The feedback we received from those who went, particularly the Argentineans, was that they truly felt integrated within the Jewish community by attending the event."

The Committee has also created several databases such as landlords with suitable housing in Jewish neighbourhoods and close to transportation.  Another is a database of medical practitioners such as doctors and dentists who speak Spanish.  "Most of the newcomers do speak some English or French, but when it comes to medical issues, it is helpful if they can communicate in Spanish," said Joyce.

"Our main database is the list of volunteers of which, right now, we have over 100 registered.  With this many, we know that we can count on them to fulfill our newcomers' needs."

The Welcome and Hospitality Committee is also keen on organizing events.  Last summer they organized a barbeque, which was a huge success, despite the fact that it was dampened by pouring rain.  About 90 people participated including the newcomers, JIAS Board members and JIAS staff.  Said Joyce, "the newcomers told us not to be upset by the rain because if they had not come, they would have just been sitting in their apartments."

Ariela Szyferman sums it up the best: "Members of the Montreal Jewish community, whether organizationally or individually, have reached out and offered support to total strangers.  They made us feel welcomed at the most critical moments of our journey."